ncsucarjoc

Folks,

For the past few weeks (well, since I bought the car) I've been losing air pressure in one wheel inconsistently. Sometimes 2 days, sometimes a week.

Took it in last week to have it diagnosed, they couldn't find anything.

Took it in again today, and they pulled it apart, and found a crack in the rim of the wheel. It's about 3/4 of an inch long, and maybe 1/32" wide.

Can this be repaired?

Is this a common failure with these wheels (factory 17" non-sport from '04).

Thanks!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

No, not common at all. Older chrome rims are known to have leaking issues at the bead or where the tire meets the rim. Chrome starts to peel. I would probably look for a nice used wheel on eBay or just swap out the spare in your trunk.

KING

iTrader: (1)

You're better off just swapping the spare. Or that cracked wheel can be welded back together so you don't face the same issue again. And no one wants a flat spare sitting in their trunk.

brainsurge

I would not think about welding a crack in an alloy wheel. toss it and get a new one.

KING

iTrader: (1)

Done it lots of times. It won't be a problem.

Tom57

A hairline crack is likely from metal fatigue in the wheel. This was a more common problem when alloy wheels were originally introduced in cars. If it were me, I'd carefully inspect all of the other wheels for similar cracks. You don't need a wheel to separate while driving. If they all appear solid, pick up a matching used or new wheel from eBay or a place like OEM Wheels.